Freedom from pain

Did you know that yoga can relieve your aches and pains? Through the controlled movements of yoga, muscle and body tensions can be removed. Yoga strengthens weak muscles, creates space in one's joints, increases flexibility, improves oxygenation to body tissue, which all combined can prevent future injuries or regular pains from occurring.

In 2005, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a yoga program was more effective in treating lower back pain than another exercise regimen.

There are specific movements and poses designed to alleviate specific pains in the body. Here are just some of the pains that yoga can relieve:

• ·      Rheumatoid Arthritis
• ·      Menstrual cramps
• ·      Neck pain
• ·      Back pain
• ·      Muscle pain
• ·      Joint pain
• ·      Shoulder pain
• ·      Headaches

Yoga is also used as physical therapy in the recovery stage of more serious injuries. This includes joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. After a serious injury yoga is used to gently restore strength to weak muscles, and restore normal body movement and functions.

If you are experiencing a specific pain, be sure to tell your yoga instructor. Your yoga teacher can tell you which poses to avoid, modify, or increase in order to strategically stretch, strengthen, and align the body to return to its optimum state.

Listen to your body. Namaste.

Test Your Yoga Knowledge!

Happy Thursday Everyone! In honor of September being National Yoga Month, we wanted to test your yoga knowledge! Open your mind and take this quiz to see how well you know about yoga and its benefits!

1) Where does yoga originate?

a) Indonesia

b) India

c) United States

2) Do you have to be flexible to do yoga?

a) Yes, you need to be able to turn your body into a pretzel.

b) No, yoga is for everyone and every body type.

3) Can yoga improve your health?

a) No, but it can trick your mind into thinking you are healthy.

b) Yes, among other things, it increases blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, increases oxygen and lessens anxiety, which can dramatically improve ones health.

c) There are no scientific studies to prove either way.

4) When did yoga originate?

a) At the beginning of the 1960’s. Hippies developed it to better connect to the world spiritually, and create world peace.

b) In 2000 BC by the Austronesian peoples of Bali, Indonesia. Yoga was created to ward off bad spirits and please ancestors.

c). Over 5,000 years ago as part of the philosophy of Hinduism to attain the state of spiritual insight and tranquility.

5) During meditation:

a) The hormones melatonin and serotonin increase.

b) You have to chant “Om” for the meditation to work.

c) Meditation cannot ease chronic pain.

6) The word “yoga” means:

a) “Yo” comes from the Latin word meaning “self” and “ga” comes from the Latin word meaning “soothing”.

b) Yoga is believed to be the name of the man who first began the yoga movement. Yoga Barshnid lived over 5,000 years ago and began yoga to better connects with the gods.

c) Yoga means combining the body, mind and spirit through breath and meditation. Its literal meaning is “yoke” or “the act of harnessing.”

7) The only appropriate place to practice yoga is:

a) In a yoga studio with experienced professionals

b) Yoga can be practiced anywhere, even at your office desk.

8) Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is:

a) The easiest type of yoga.

b) Is only for males.

c) Is often referred to as “power yoga”.

9) Pranayama is:

a) Breathing control. Practicing pranayama will increase oxygen to the brain and promote relaxation.

b) Muscle control. Pranayama is a series of postures that will strengthen muscles.

c) A sleep like state where total relaxation can occur.

10) Asana is:

a) The yoga postures.

b) The auras of everyone who practices yoga.

c) The hormone that gives you pleasure after a yoga session.

So how do you think you did? Here are the answers: bbbcacbcaa

Check out our website www.innerpeaceyogatulsa.com for class schedules and more information about the practice of yoga.

Want to hear a yoga joke?

-Knock, Knock

-Who’s there?

-Yoga

-Yoga who?

-Yoga to try yoga! It feels amazing!

Happy National Yoga Month Everyone!!